Rating: 
Summary: Lots of errors
Review: It seems like no one edited or tech edited this book. From the start, where he talks about putting 'huskies' (they are wolves) as his boot screen to the bootvis problem already discussed, to numerous other technical errors, this book is not up to snuff to the rest of the hacks books. I didn't even try half the registry hacks because if he can't get some very basic information right, am I certain I want to trust someone with more detailed, specific information? Very poorly edited, very poorly researched book, and not worth the price.
Rating:
Summary: Advanced User Beware
Review: Some hacks in this book are really basic: Hack 20: Making Windows XP look like Windows 2000 again.
Hack 23: PowerDesk Shareware
Hack 86: Info on two Graphical Shareware
Hack 98: Keyboard remapping shareware
Hack 99: Using ClearType on Win XP is this a book about "Customizing Windows XP and Shareware Info" or are they really hacks? There is even some mis-information:
Hack 3: Claims that BootVis will speed up boot up time, while the official Microsoft website corrected the issue: boot speed up is built in and automatic and doesn't require BootVis. Hack 92: Claims that removing DLL from RAM will let other program have access to the RAM and make the computer faster... not true: they will be removed automatically from RAM when other applications need the RAM. The "Least Recently Used" DLL will be unloaded automatically. On the other hand, if you listen to an mp3 file and close Windows Media Player, and then see another mp3 and run Windows Media Player again, it will be much faster because the DLLs are already in RAM. This book should be more appropriately titled: Customizing, Shareware, and Hacks for Windows XP.
Rating: 
Summary: Windows XP Hacks reviewed
Review: The book is intended for those of us that prefer to tamper with or 'improve' the basic Windows XP package. I would say that target audience should range from those who are more knowledgeable than just opening Windows Explorer and surfing around to those who are hardcore 'tweak geeks' like myself who just have to find a way to make everything run faster, smoother and with minimal work. Windows XP Hacks is very well thought out from beginning to end: it takes you from tweaking the start up and boot up screen, to making file surfing easier, to internet usage and finally exploring registry hacking. The language used in the book never comes across as dry or 'techy', I never felt as though I was being schooled, rather I was being talked with about hacking XP, which promotes user friendliness and immediately puts the novice reader at ease and in a frame of mind to continue reading. The information provided on tweaking XP will initiate someone from entry level to a full fledged tweaker. Hardcore 'geeks' will find some new tidbits of information in the book, but it will benefit the entry level and mid level computer enthusiast the most. The tips are very well explained and some are further enhanced with illustrations which always make things even easier. All in all, this is a great read and a definite tool for those willing to get down and dirty with Windows XP.
Rating:
Summary: More general purpose, not XP specific
Review: The O'Reilly Hacks book format is to provide the reader with one hundred focused 'hacks' that provide a wide variety of tips for expert readers on the subject at hand. This book falls a little off that mark. The text of the book is not very focused, though it is more personable and easier to read than the other Hacks books.
What bothered me was that the hacks were not all particularly XP relevant. Picking a web browser and a hack on war driving seem off the mark to me. On the one hand, they could have called it 'Windows Hacks' and I would think that the book was dead on. Since they called it 'Windows XP Hacks' I expected to see more XP specific information.
That being said, the book has a lot going for it. There is a lot of cool and unique content in it. I particularly liked the sections on tweaking the UI and hacking the registry. I also appreciated the information on how to surf the Internet safely.
Before you buy you should have a look at the table of contents first to make sure that you are getting value for your dollar.
Rating:
Summary: Save your money
Review: This book is a perfect example of an OK idea presented in a bad medium. Had the author chosen to make this a web site or a magazine article, I don't think anyone would object to the rudimentary information provided within. Instead, the author presents 100 "hacks" comprised entirely of overviews on quickly-dating shareware and freeware downloads, as well as step by step instructions on how to use the intrinsic Windows dialogs to change properties and settings. Little presented here could not be as easily discovered by Googling "Windows XP tips tricks", browsing popular computer magazines, or using the internal Help.
Rating:
Summary: Save your money
Review: This book is a perfect example of an OK idea presented in a bad medium. Had the author chosen to make this a web site or a magazine article, I don't think anyone would object to the rudimentary information provided within. Instead, the author presents 100 "hacks" comprised entirely of overviews on quickly-dating shareware and freeware downloads, as well as step by step instructions on how to use the intrinsic Windows dialogs to change properties and settings. Little presented here could not be as easily discovered by Googling "Windows XP tips tricks", browsing popular computer magazines, or using the internal Help.
Rating: 
Summary: must have for XP users
Review: This book kicks serious a**. Any medium to high power user must have this book!
It contains a range of 'hacks' covering fun to more serioius topics.
Get this book.
Rating:
Summary: If your into computers, get this book
Review: Written in an very pleasing quick to the point manner, this book offers its readers much in the everyday and not so everyday use of your Windows XP system. This is not a script kiddie or hacker book. It encompasses the real meaning of the word hack. To hack into your computer to make it do things that it isn't generally meant to do, or to access things within your system that are not know or are hidden from the average user. Somebody who rigs something to enhance it, make it better, or make it do something more, is the real meaning of a hacker. Rather than its misused meaning of somebody who breaks into systems. (cracker) I have to give this book 5 stars. This book is not another wanabe hacker book, but a book on some quick enhancements that can be made to your windows xp computer, ranging from hacking the registry, using many of its commands and utilities, to using downloadable software and tools. Plus the book is put together in a way that allows you to reference the areas that interest you or apply to you, so you don't have to read the chapters or hacks that don't interest you. Don't misunderstand the title of this book, it doesn't have anything to do with the misused meaning of the word hack. It has nothing to do with breaking into or exploiting computers. Its more of a book on how to enhance your computer and your computer experience. As for those who say you can get this information elsewhere just by searching online. We'll you can get most information on any topic by searching online. All the information needed to pass the MCSE is available online as well, but I would still like to have it all in one spot, having had somebody else do that searching for me. (and no this book has nothing to do with the MCSE or any other cert, was just used as an analogy to explain my point) This is an excellent book, and even if your an advanced user you will find this book interesting, and fun to read. I did. Many of the hacks I knew already, and some I didn't. Many were very useful and I enjoyed reading this book very much. If you want to learn how to hack or, I should say crack computers, then this isn't a book you should be looking at. If your an "advanced" computer guru, then do your research before you buy the book, go to "O'Reilly & Associates" website and check the TOC and see if this is what your looking for. Personally I think this book is great reading and has sometihng to offer to everybody, even the advanced user. I highly recommend it.
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